HOST NOVA SCOTIA UPSETS ALBERTA
WOLFVILLE, NS – Considered the underdog host of this year’s Under-18 Football Canada Cup Championship, Team Nova Scotia pulled off a 27-24 upset win over Team Alberta in front of over 1100 fans at Acadia University’s Raymond Field.
Nova Scotia Head Coach Chris Valardo credited his staff and the work by a tightly knit group of players. “We had all the belief in the world in our squad. The boys executed the game plan and the coaches did a great job in preparing them. The guys went out and fought harder than our opponent”.
Offensive player of the game, Duncan Coady, pulled Team Nova Scotia from an early 7-0 deficit with a 94 yard kick off return immediately after Alberta’s six play, 67 yard drive that was capped by a one yard dive by quarterback Taylor Yaremchuk.
Alberta’s Kristopher Stretton broke the tie at 3:35 of the second quarter on a 19 yard pass reception. An exchange of field goals by Nova Scotia’s Jeremy Ford and Steven McCaffrey of Alberta pushed the western province into a 17-10 halftime lead.
Coady, who had 63 yards on 3 receptions during four quarters of play, added his second major of the day on a 51 yard pass reception from Jesse Mills, three minutes into the third quarter to tie the game at 17.
Alberta’s Stretton found the endzone for the second time, early in the final quarter, on a one yard dive that ended a 36 yard drive that begun on the Nova Scotia 36 yard line after a failed third down conversion.
With a 24-17 deficit to make up in the closing minutes of the game, Nova Scotia pivot Jesse Mills marched the blue and white 82 yards downfield on six plays, only to fall short of tying the game. Alberta’s Tanner Doll recovered a fumble on the two yard line to crush the hopes of the Nova Scotia faithful.
With poor field position, Alberta was forced to give up the safety to bring Nova Scotia to within five points.
Two receptions later, Derek Brown pulled in the game winning 19 yard pass from Jesse Mills to cap a 76 yard drive, giving Nova Scotia their first and most important lead of the game with 55 seconds remaining. A two point conversion followed, offering Nova Scotia a comfortable 27-24 lead and the eventual win.
Brown praised the fans after the victory. “The way the fans cheered us on and never got down on us. They never gave up…that’s how we pulled it together”.
Nova Scotia quarterback Jesse Mills threw for a game high 303 yards on 14 passes, while teammate Donald Tabor led all receivers with 149 yards on six receptions.
Alberta’s Trace McLellan-Eeles led the game with 90 yards rushing on 12 carries.
Nova Scotia will now meet the winner of today’s game between Quebec and Ontario West on Wednesday, July 14 at 7:00 pm.
